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First Assembly of God Newsletter June 2010 |
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If I were to ask you what is the most popular food spice, would you know? Did you know that without this spice all known living creatures would die, including humans? It can be found on most tables every time we eat. The technical name is sodium chloride or NaCl. Most of us simply call it salt. Salt has a significant place in human history dating as far back as 6000 B.C. in China, when it was harvested from the surface of the salt lake, Yuncheng. During the third Millennium B.C. the Egyptians and Phoenicians used salt for curing the meat of birds and fish. The Bible has over 40 references to salt. The earliest reference is found in the story of Lot's wife, who turned into a pillar of salt because of her disobedience (Genesis 19:26). King Abimelech destroyed Shechem when he "sowed salt on it", (Judges 9:45). In the New Testament Jesus referred to his followers as the "salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13), and the apostle Paul encouraged Christians to "let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt," (Colossians 4:6). Salt has also found its way into our language. We encourage the gullible to take things "with a grain of salt." People who don't enjoy their work speak of returning to the "salt mines." If we are good employees we are "worth our salt", but, if we harm someone we "rub salt in their wounds." Did you know ever wonder why the Morton Salt Company, today's leading producer and marketer of salt, began an advertising campaign in 1911 with a little girl holding an umbrella and underneath was the slogan, "When It Rains, It Pours"? The motto actually assures the user that Morton salt can be poured, even when humidity or moisture is in the air. As Christians, we are most valuable when we allow ourselves to be poured out into the lives of others for the sake of the Gospel. Even when the storms of life are raging all around, make yourself available to the Lord and discover how God can use you to minister to someone. You might be surprised how God can use you to help preserve another person's relationship with the Lord. Paul stated it best in Romans 8:28 "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." —Pastor Jeff |
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In Mark 9:17-27, we read the account of a man who was asking Jesus to cast an unclean spirit out of his son. The man professes to be a believer in verse 24, and then immediately asks Jesus to help him with his unbelief. I am sure that nearly all of us at times have struggled with our faith, knowing that God is capable of what we ask but wondering if He will really do it for us. As we read to the end of this passage we find that Jesus helped this man's unbelief by delivering his son from the unclean spirit. Recently I had an experience that stretched my faith in a physical sense, but the principles involved can easily be applied to faith in a spiritual sense. In late April, I was in Chicago and had the opportunity to go to the top of the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The observation level is on the 103rd floor, about 1350 feet above the street. It was a clear day and the panoramic view extended 40-50 miles into parts of four states. I thought this experience could not be topped until I found - THE LEDGE! The Ledge is a solid glass enclosure that extends 4.3 feet out from the side of the building and has no visible means of support. When you walk out onto the Ledge you can look down between your feet to the street, 1350 feet below, where the cars look like match boxes. Before daring to step out onto the Ledge I had an internal faith struggle. Part of me knew the Ledge had been engineered with a wide safety margin and that a multitude of others had previously enjoyed the experience by placing faith in its structural integrity. Another part of me was saying "what if you are the one who is out there when something unexpected happens?" It was not until I suppressed my doubts (and fears), and exercised my faith, that I was able to enjoy the indescribable thrill of the Ledge. I also observed some other faith related issues during this experience. One was that it was easier to walk out onto the Ledge while looking up rather than looking down. Lesson learned: keep your eyes on God and the answer you are seeking, rather than focusing on your circumstances (2 Cor. 5:7). The second thing I observed was that children were much more likely to walk onto the Ledge without fear than adults were. Lesson learned: We should all exercise childlike faith when seeking God. The final lesson I learned was that if I had not suppressed my fears and stepped out in faith, I never would have realized the maximum benefits of the Ledge. If we approach God in the same way we will reap benefits far beyond any that a mere man made object can provide. Remember that "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" - Ephesians 3:20. — Steve Parsons |
